Reno/Lake Tahoe
 

We are going to be in the area for 7 days, must stay in Lake Tahoe for 4 days (working), can stay all 7 there and play for 3, or go to Reno for the 3 playdays. (Need help as El Dorado/Silver etc. all look the same. For 150 a night - does anyone have any suggestions? ) Should we plan 2 in Reno and the rest in Tahoe? We don''t really gamble, not much of outdoorsy hikers, more touristy folk. Help!

When are you going? I live in Reno. We havne't had a storm for a couple of weeks but supposed to be getting something Wednesday or Thursday, next week. What you will have access to will depend on when you are coming. Right now all the roads are open and dry, but that can change quickly.

Tahoe is certainly the most scenic place to stay and driving around the lake is really beautiful. Tahoe City is a fun place to walk around, check out the shops, lots of great eateries. Squaw Valley has nice shops and some great restaurants. Truckee can be a fun day.

Reno, is doing a lot of renovation down town, but there is still a way to go. Having said that, there are some new eateries, coffee shops, etc. that have opened. Califorina street has developed nicely..it's about four blocks or so south of downtown. There are some fun coffee shops, eateries, and great boutiques that have opened. They have special events on the street from time to time. Harrahs Auto Museum is still going but it doesn't have the number of cars it used to. When Harrahs was bought out, after the "old man" died, some years ago, a lot of the cars were sold off.

The Silver Legacy, Eldorado, and Circus Circus are all directly connected to each other. You can walk from one to the other on the mezzanine floor. Circus Circus is well past due for a renovation, the Silver Legacy and the Elderado are nice. The Peppermill, further south on Virginia Street, has just finished a HUGE renovation, so you might see what they are offering.

It's hard for me to give you a lot of Casino/Hotel information because I just hate going in them. MY SO gambles a little and bets on football during the season, usually at the Peppermill, so he gets comps. and so I only go in there to use the comps from time to time..like free buffet and such.

You might find Virginia City interesting. It's hokey if you don't look beyond the surface, but if you do look, it is full of history. The silver mines funded the Union Army as well as building most of San Francisco. It can be fun but if you're thinking about the winter time, the town is pretty quiet. Some businesses are only open during the summer. It still can be fun though. I like going up in the winter....it's quiet.

I would spend most of your time in Tahoe. I do like the small town atmosphere of Reno compared to Vegas. I have stayed at the Eldorado and Circus Circus and both were nice (it was a few years ago). They both had mid-week specials that we got. I too like how you don't even have to go outside on the mezzanine floor and can go from one casino to another. I don't gamble much either but you can watch the circus acts and catch one of the shows at the Silver Legacy or Eldorado. My DH loves the anitque stores in Reno. Have a great trip!

I would personally stay in Tahoe....it is beautiful and you will find Reno rather boring after the beauty of Tahoe. (sorry) You can go through either North or South Tahoe on different days....There are little shops in both places. you can take the boat out onto the lake and see Emerald Bay, which is so pretty. There are restuarants, beaches, etc.

When are you going? Nice nickname :)

If you aren't interested in gambling - then stay at Tahoe. You can do a day trip to Reno if you are curious about seeing the city. I also recommend a day trip to Virginia City - which can easily be done from Lake Tahoe or Reno.

I just went in Dec.

I stayed in South Lake Tahoe, just a block walk from the lift to Heavenly at Harvey's.

You can get a Priceline room much cheaper than $150 a night in Lake Tahoe. I got 5 nights at $97 each and the room was rack rate $159 and more on the Friday and Saturday nights.

If you are going soon, in coldish weather, make sure you have the proper tires or chains.

I've got some pictures of myself and some very tame geese on the banks of Lake Tahoe in an ice/snow event. Awesome when sand is covered by snow, and the water is still liquid!

If you are going in warmer weather, take the Queen / large ferry to see the industrialist's summer home on the island. I loved that tour when I did it in much warmer weather.

There is no home on the island, assuming you mean in Emerald Bay. That's a Tea room. The home is on the shore of the bay and surrounded by pines so not as easily viewable as the Tea House. Several years ago the Tea House was vandalized and heavely damaged. It's mostly burned out now. Looks nothing like it used to. Pretty Sad. :(

Oh, that is sad. I saw the tea house before that happened. And the main house is definitely worth the trip and tour. I did not realize that it is bayside, actually. Lake Tahoe is so big, but COLD.

On the beach near that house, there were about 20 swimmers the day we visited, but I and one little girl around 6 were the only ones who really swam. She outlasted me and she really did have blue lips when she came out. I have a picture of her, a real water nymph.

tahoe is beautiful and you'd want to spend most of your time there. seems like a weird destination from your post - you're not into gambling - then why would reno be a consideration? not oudoorsy/hikers - why is tahoe a destination for other then a few days?